early morning.
When the summer sunshine tore through the clouds and shone through the window, Ji Pingan yawned, put on his coat, and opened the door.
In the middle of the courtyard, next to the well, I saw two round buttocks, one pink and one green, showing two girls brushing their teeth.
"Morning." Ji Pingan smiled, squatted over with the toiletries, squeezed the soap powder onto the wooden bristle toothbrush, and started gargling.
The picture is harmonious and beautiful, as if everything that happened last night was just an illusion.
Yesterday, after returning from Song Mansion, Ji Ping'an, who was deeply tired, fell asleep in his pocket. In fact, he experienced too many changes yesterday night and it was overwhelming. When he woke up, he felt that his mind was much clearer.
The same was true for the two women squatting next to them. Yu Yu was a saint after all. She quickly calmed down and no longer made a fuss like yesterday. She looked calm and composed, which made Ji Ping'an look at her with new eyes.
As for Mu Yaoyao... she just has a big heart.
"Bah!" Yu Yu's pink cheeks spat out thick white liquid, and he suddenly stood up, looked at him seriously, and said:
"I remember last night, you talked to us about rebirth..."
Ji Ping'an took out the star fragments and shook them. Seeing this, Yu Yu swallowed the second half of the sentence and let out a deep breath:
"It's really not a dream."
After a night, she still found it difficult to accept this possibility, but after seeing the fragments and confirming the reality of yesterday, her eyes actually showed high fighting spirit:
"This is the experience that this saint wants."
As she spoke, she suddenly looked down at Ji Ping'an with a look of disdain, akimbo and raising her white chin, like a proud little peacock:
"In this case of the Four Saints, I gave you a head start, but I will not lose to you again from now on."
Where did you get your inexplicable confidence... Ji Ping'an complained.
At this time, the courtyard door was pushed open. Huang He walked into the courtyard carrying the breakfast he bought. Ji Pingan spit out the mouthwash and said:
"Eat, I just have something to tell you."
…
On the dinner table.
While eating, Ji Ping'an recounted yesterday's exchange with Xin Yaoguang.
"Resurrected from the dead?" Huang He put down his chopsticks and pondered:
"If this information is true, it can greatly reduce the scope of our investigation. However, it is difficult to confirm this thing. After all, it is not dead, but resurrected from the brink of death."
Ji Ping'an said "En", swallowed the egg drop soup, and said seriously:
"So, your next investigation direction will be the ones we discussed last night, plus this one. By now, I believe you have all realized the seriousness of the problem. Which party can find the remaining reborn people as soon as possible? , we will have the opportunity to take the lead in the next changes.”
The implicit meaning of this statement is:
They have an intelligence advantage and a "window of time."
But when the Beast Control Sect, the imperial court and other forces react, and there are clues about the reborn person, it may not be his turn.
Huang He nodded vigorously and said, "Young Master is right."
Mu Yaoyao also had a serious face, indicating that she was listening carefully.
Yu Yu challenged: "Then what are you doing?"
Ji Ping'an picked up a steaming meat bun, took a bite, and suddenly smiled mysteriously and said:
"Wait for someone."
…
After meal.
The three of them split up and went to investigate everywhere.
Ji Ping'an walked into the "Yijingzhai" as usual, sat down behind the antique sandalwood table, made tea, read, and practiced meditation.
Business was as bleak as ever. Throughout the morning, only the owner of the calligraphy and painting shop on the same street came to visit and shared a big news with him with great joy.
Namely: Someone died in Dongcheng last night, which alerted the Yamen of the Demon Slayer Division.
"It is said that the Night Chief went there in person. I don't know where the Jianghu people came from to commit the murder. Alas, I feel that the city is not peaceful recently." The little-eyed boss sighed.
Typical philistine mentality.
Little did he know that the Jianghu man who committed the murder was listening to his story with a smile.
It was approaching noon, just when Ji Ping'an was getting ready for a lunch break and hanging out the closing sign, he opened his eyes on a whim.
At the intersection of Laoliu Street, the sound of horse hooves could be heard first.
Then, a low-key and luxurious carriage slowly drove in and finally stopped at the entrance of the alley.
The wind blows in the green willows.
The coachman removed the pedals and opened the curtain. First, a woman dressed as a maid jumped out, holding a paper umbrella in her hand. As soon as her feet were steady, she opened the paper umbrella to protect the sun.
Then, a satin embroidered shoe with flowers embroidered on it poked out and stepped slowly on the pedals. Inside the satin trousers, a white calf was revealed, but it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
A young woman wearing a long skirt, elegant temperament, oval face, and hidden sweetness stepped out of the carriage and stood under the paper umbrella. Her back was straight and her gait was elegant. She showed the etiquette and nobility that only a big family can cultivate.
The appearance of such a visitor immediately attracted the attention of Laoliu's neighbors. Soon, some people recognized the emblem of the carriage and whispered in surprise:
"It's from the Pei family."
"Why did Pei's people come to our little place?"
"Who is that woman? Could it be a young lady from the Pei family?"
In the calligraphy and painting shop, the boss who was selling inkstones to two scholars heard the commotion and walked out curiously. Several people stood at the door of the shop and looked curiously, marveling.
Suddenly, one of the scholars said:
"Why does it look like Miss Pei's second daughter? I was lucky enough to see her from a distance at the Shisui Poetry Club last year. She looks a bit like her."
Second Miss Pei?
That talented woman famous in Jiangnan? The apple of Pei's eye?
The owner of the calligraphy and painting shop was shocked.
It feels like seeing the wealthy daughter of a chaebol in reality. You must know that the Pei family is someone that little people like them need to look up to in the entire Yuhang and even the entire Jiangnan.
However, when he saw the two masters and servants holding umbrellas walking straight into the "Yijingzhai", he was even more surprised and even broke a few strands of his beard.
…
"Hey, are you the owner of this shop? That Mr. Li?"
In the small store, as soon as the maid holding an umbrella walked in, she saw Ji Ping'an's unexpectedly young appearance and the "straight" look she was looking at her young lady. She immediately frowned and gave orders.
"He'er! Don't be rude!"
Hearing this, the young woman with gentle temperament and sweet appearance scolded in a low voice, and then looked apologetically at Ji Pingan, who was sitting upright at the counter:
"The eldest son of the Pei family, Pei Qiuwei, has taken the liberty to come here. May I ask, Mr. Li, who is a good fortune teller?"
Is Mr. Li a good fortune teller?
Ji Ping'an's heart was churning with disgust, wondering who had given him such a bad nickname, but his face didn't show any signs of it. He just looked at the woman in front of him with curiosity.
The face is delicate, the skin is breakable, and the dress is well-cut, which outlines the curves without appearing frivolous. The elegant temperament reminds him of Zhong Tongjun.
But the latter has a scholarly air, and has some of the spiritual energy of a practitioner.
As for the second young lady of the Pei family in front of her, she is a "lady lady", especially her eyes are quite... and her appearance is somewhat similar to Pei Qian.
He had already expected the arrival of the Pei family.
Yesterday, after learning from Song Xuezheng that the Pei family was looking for fortune tellers all over the city, he tried astrology and got the revelation that his fate would intersect with that of the Pei family today.
"You can't call it 'divine calculation'. I wonder how Miss Pei knows this?" Ji Ping'an smiled and shook his head, raising his hand to signal her to sit down.
While Ji Pingan was looking at her, Pei Qiuwei was also looking at this peer.
She was surprised at the other party's youth, but a talented woman from a wealthy family did not judge people by their appearance, and even became more and more interested, saying:
"It's a coincidence. The maid at home mentioned that there is an expert in Laoliu Street."
She roughly explained that it turned out to be the matter of Honggu's family, and she passed it to the neighbor's mansion, and then she came into Pei Qiuwei's sight.
And because the matter was too bizarre, after sending people to inquire, it was confirmed that it was indeed the case, so she came to visit in person to test the truth.
"There are no coincidences in the world. How could you know that it was not destined by fate." Ji Ping'an pointed at the few copper coins in front of him like a magic stick and said:
"I wonder what Miss Pei wants to ask about?"
Pei Qiuwei pursed her lips, seeming to be thinking about something. The maid holding a paper umbrella next to her said calmly:
"My young lady is..."
"He'er." Pei Qiuwei interrupted her, his eyes flashed, and he suddenly said:
"I wonder if sir can read faces?"
Ji Ping'an glanced at her and said, "I understand a little bit."
Pei Qiuwei smiled and said, "Then please take a look at my face, sir. Can you tell anything?"
This is, you want to test me? ...Ji Ping'an's eyes were strange and interesting. After thinking about it, he sat back on the chair, folded his hands, and said slowly, half-smilingly:
"My appearance is bad and I have been overthinking. I think Mrs. Pei has been restless recently. Could it be that... Miss Pei... a relative is ill?"
The words fell.
Pei Qiuwei's eyes suddenly narrowed. The maid next to him was surprised at first, and then said as if she had made a big discovery:
"You didn't even look at it. You only glanced at it and you dared to talk nonsense like this?"
She looked at Second Sister Pei and said:
"Miss, I'm afraid this is not a lie to you. It's just like the fortune tellers on the street, telling nonsense."
However, Pei Qiuwei did not say a word, but said seriously:
"To be honest, sir, today's visit is indeed because I, Mr. Pei, have some matters that I want to ask someone to divine. The matters involved are so important that I cannot tell them here. Therefore, I still need to confirm what my master's abilities are and pay the corresponding amount of money. If you have offended me just now, Qiu Wei would like to apologize. If it's convenient for you, sir, could you please come to Pei's in the afternoon so that we can talk in detail?"
Ji Ping'an did not answer immediately, but looked at her deeply for a while before slowly saying:
"Can."
…
After a brief conversation.
Pei Qiuwei left a note to verify his identity and a sufficient amount of silver ingots worth ten taels per ingot as prepayment before saying goodbye and leaving.
Outside Laoliu Street, low-key and luxurious carriages rumbled and rolled through the streets.
In the carriage, the maid holding an oil-paper umbrella said reluctantly:
"Miss, do you believe this person like this? I think he looks like a charlatan. I'm afraid he learned about our family's search for a fortune teller from somewhere, so he directed this scene. What he just said, I don’t know what else is wrong, it’s just..."
Pei Qiuwei sat on the soft cushions in the carriage and sighed softly when he heard this. His sweet and hidden face showed the maturity that a child of a big family should have:
"He'er, don't you know that narrow-mindedness is the root of disaster? When you face outsiders, you must open your mind and don't judge people from a predetermined standpoint. Although my Pei family has a great business, it is still just a clan.
The family has been passed down for hundreds of years and still thrives undefeated. It is not only due to the grace left by our ancestors in the past, and the favor from the first generation of the God Emperor and the national master, but also because we, the descendants, are careful in our words and deeds and have many good relationships. "
The maid named He'er lowered her head and said gloomily:
"But when we first met, he stared straight at you, miss. How could he be so arrogant? He looked very similar to those conceited and elegant guys in the city... I was angry."
Pei Qiuwei smiled, shook his head and said:
"When guests come to the door, they naturally have to take a look, not to mention that they also know how to read faces. How can this be the same? A relaxed mind is the door to blessing. You have been with me for many years and you have always done things neatly. I also know that you are of the same mind as me, but It’s better to be more open-minded.”
"Oh." He'er responded, but she was still dissatisfied.
Pei Qiuwei sighed softly and said:
"I'm not scolding you, but that Li Anping is indeed not simple. Don't think that he is young and say something about the director... The massacre of the escort team outside the city is deeper than you think. It is definitely not what some charlatan can do." The fact that he is a director shows his ability. Moreover, you only saw him staring at me, but you didn't think about it. With my reputation, when I gave my name, was he even a little bit surprised and scared? "
The maid thought about it for a moment and frowned:
"What the lady means is..."
Pei Qiuwei said seriously:
"This person's popularity is extraordinary, and it gives me a strange feeling, as if he is sitting in the hall today, waiting for my visit. But you must know that I came to see him in person on an impromptu basis."
The maid was stunned. After saying this to the young lady, she suddenly felt that Ji Ping'an was unfathomable.
There was one thing Pei Qiuwei didn't say, and that was Ji Ping'an's last sentence, "A relative is ill," which really shocked her.
Fortunately, with her palace, she didn't show it.
"Of course, these are just guesses. We will know in the afternoon whether he is really capable."
…
The Pei family's residence is in the center of a villa called "Fengyi Pavilion" for guests to live in.
There is a two-story wooden building standing.
At this moment, the window on the second floor of the small building was open. Xu Yuanyun, wearing a plain dress, with a delicate figure and a slightly pale face as if recovering from a long illness, stood quietly by the window.
Looking out the window at the green bamboos, mountains, rocks and flowing water, I was lost in thought.
Her delicate hands, which looked as if they would break if pushed hard, gently held the fence, and there was a row of gray birds standing neatly on the wooden fence.
These birds, which were originally extremely afraid of people, somehow stood so quietly, as if they had an instinctive intimacy and affection for the woman next to them.
"Pullingleng."
Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and a flock of birds flapped their wings and flew up.
The old woman walked in with a bowl of iced sour plum soup in both hands. She didn't see the birds flying in fright, and said with a smile:
"Girl, the weather is sultry. Let's drink some plums to relieve the heat."
Now, Xu Yuanyun, named "Mochou", turned around, took it with a smile, picked up a spoon and gently scooped up some soup to drink, and asked casually:
"Just now I saw the servants in the mansion heading towards the gate. Did something happen?"
The old woman said:
"Oh, it seems that the second lady has invited some famous divination masters in the city to come to the house for some reason. They should go and take care of her."
Gua master? Xu Yuanyun frowned.
The old woman said: "Girl, do you want to watch the fun?"
…
There are a few Calvins, but this chapter is less
(End of chapter)
